The autofocus control system of a projector includes a projector and an imaging unit. The projector includes a lens actuator that drives a projection lens, and a first controller that projects a first or a second pattern image selected, the second pattern image being mesh-shaped more coarsely than the first pattern image. The imaging unit includes an imaging part that images the first or second pattern image selected to generate imaged data, a user interface part that acquires a zoom magnification, and a second controller that transmits a focus control command to the first controller based on the imaged data. The second controller transmits to the first controller, an instruction signal for selectively projecting the first pattern image when the zoom magnification is smaller than a given magnification, and an instruction signal for selectively projecting the second pattern image when the zoom magnification is the given magnification or larger.
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1. An autofocus control system of a projector, comprising: a projector including a lens actuator that drives a projection lens to perform focus adjustment, a pattern image storage part that stores a first pattern image that is mesh-shaped and a second pattern image that is mesh-shaped more coarsely than the first pattern image, and a first controller that selects the first or second pattern image and projects the first or second pattern image selected on a projection surface through the projection lens, and an imaging unit including an imaging part that images the first or second pattern image selected and projected on the projection surface to generate imaged data, a user interface part that acquires a zoom magnification set by a user, a zoom setting part that makes the imaging part perform zooming based on the zoom magnification having been set, and a second controller that transmits a focus control command to the first controller based on the imaged data generated by the imaging part, wherein the second controller transmits an instruction signal for selectively projecting the first pattern image to the first controller when the zoom magnification is smaller than a given magnification, wherein the second controller transmits an instruction signal for selectively projecting the second pattern image to the first controller when the zoom magnification is the given magnification or larger, and wherein the first controller makes the lens actuator actuate the projection lens according to the focus control command acquired from the second controller.
2. The autofocus control system of a projector of claim 1 , wherein the first and second pattern images are lattice-like, mesh patterns, and wherein a line pitch of the second pattern image is larger than a line pitch of the first pattern image.
This invention relates to an autofocus control system for a projector, addressing the challenge of accurately focusing projected images. The system uses two distinct pattern images to determine focus adjustments. The first pattern image is a lattice-like or mesh pattern with a specific line pitch, while the second pattern image is also lattice-like but with a larger line pitch than the first. The system captures images of these patterns as they are projected onto a surface and analyzes the captured images to detect focus errors. By comparing the captured images with reference images of the patterns, the system calculates the necessary focus adjustments to optimize image clarity. The use of two patterns with different line pitches enhances the accuracy of focus detection, particularly in varying lighting conditions or when projecting onto surfaces with different textures. The system dynamically adjusts the projector's focus mechanism based on the analysis, ensuring sharp and clear projected images. This approach improves autofocus performance in projectors by leveraging multiple pattern images with varying line pitches to improve focus detection reliability.
3. An autofocus control system of a projector, comprising: a projector including a lens actuator that drives a projection lens to perform focus adjustment, a pattern image storage part that stores a first pattern image that is mesh-shaped and a second pattern image that is mesh-shaped more coarsely than the first pattern image, and a first controller that selects the first or second pattern image and projects the first or second pattern image selected on a projection surface through the projection lens, and an imaging unit including an imaging part that images the first or second pattern image selected and projected on the projection surface to generate imaged data, a focus analyzing part that analyzes the imaged data of the first or second pattern image imaged by the imaging part to acquire a focus level, a second controller that transmits a focus control command to the first controller based on the imaged data generated by the imaging part, an application program storage part that stores an autofocus application program, and a user interface part that acquires instruction input from a user, wherein the second controller transmits an instruction signal for selectively projecting the first pattern image to the first controller when the autofocus application program is executed according to the instruction input from the user to the user interface part, wherein the second controller transmits the focus control command based on the imaged data of the first patten image when the focus level of the first pattern image acquired from the focus analyzing part is a given level or higher, and wherein the second controller transmits an instruction signal for selectively projecting the second pattern image instead of the first pattern image to the first controller and transmits the focus control command based on the imaged data of the second pattern image to the first controller when the focus level of the first pattern image acquired from the focus analyzing part is lower than the given level.
This invention relates to an autofocus control system for projectors, addressing the challenge of achieving precise focus adjustment in varying projection environments. The system includes a projector with a lens actuator that adjusts the position of a projection lens to optimize focus. The projector also contains a storage unit holding two mesh-shaped pattern images: a fine first pattern and a coarser second pattern. A controller selects and projects either pattern onto a surface through the lens. An imaging unit captures the projected pattern, generating imaged data that a focus analyzer processes to determine a focus level. A second controller transmits focus control commands to the projector based on the imaged data. The system stores an autofocus application program and includes a user interface for initiating the process. When the program runs, the second controller first instructs the projector to project the fine pattern. If the focus level meets a predefined threshold, the system uses the fine pattern data for focus adjustments. If the focus level is insufficient, the system switches to the coarser pattern, using its data for focus control instead. This adaptive approach ensures accurate focusing regardless of surface conditions or environmental factors.
4. The autofocus control system of a projector of claim 3 , wherein the first and second pattern images are lattice-like, mesh patterns, and wherein a line pitch of the second pattern image is larger than a line pitch of the first pattern image.
This invention relates to an autofocus control system for a projector, addressing the challenge of accurately focusing projected images onto a screen or surface. The system uses a structured light projection method to detect and correct focus errors. It projects two distinct pattern images onto a target surface, where the first pattern has a finer lattice-like or mesh structure compared to the second pattern, which has a larger line pitch. The system captures reflections of these patterns using an imaging sensor and analyzes the captured images to determine focus adjustments. The finer first pattern enables precise focus detection at close distances, while the coarser second pattern improves focus accuracy at longer distances. By comparing the captured images with reference patterns, the system calculates focus errors and adjusts the projector's lens position to achieve optimal focus. This dual-pattern approach enhances focus accuracy across varying projection distances, ensuring sharp image quality. The system may also include a light source, a pattern generator, and a processing unit to analyze the captured images and control the lens actuator for focus correction.
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June 8, 2020
March 1, 2022
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